ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Special Service and Features
More Fishing Harbours will be upgraded to International Standards - Dr L Murugan
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Information and Broadcasting, Dr L. Murugan today said that more fishing harbours in the country will be upgraded to international standards. He was visiting the Office of Marine Products Export Development Authority  at Kochi. The Minister also held a meeting with senior officials of MPEDA including Chairman, Shri K S Srinivas, Director, Dr M. Karthikeyan and Joint Directors Dr Ram Mohan M K and Shri P Anil Kumar.
MPEDA officials gave a power point presentation on the Organisation's milestones in the Marine Products Sector. Following which, the Minister visited Quality Control and Micro Biology Laboratories and Seafood India Signature Stall at MPEDA.
Dr L. Murugan also visited the Accelerated Freeze Drying Company  at Ezhupunna in Alappuzha district. AFDC Ezhupunna is one of the few prawn processing-exporting companies in the country with accelerated freeze and drying systems. The Minister also held discussions with AFDC Managing Director Abraham J Tharakan and inspected the operation of the seafood processing systems.
Ministry of Defence
MoD signs contract with MDSL to supply Light Specialist Vehicles to Indian Army
Providing further boost to ‘Make in India’, Ministry of Defence  signed a contract with Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd  for supply of 1,300 Light Specialist Vehicles to the Indian Army, at a cost of Rs 1,056 crore, in New Delhi on March 22, 2021. The induction of vehicles is planned to be completed in four years.
The Light Specialist Vehicle is a modern fighting vehicle and will be authorised to various fighting units for carriage of Medium Machine Guns, Automatic Grenade Launchers as well as Anti-tank Guided Missiles.
The Light Specialist Vehicle is indigenously designed and developed by MDSL. These combat vehicles are extremely agile with all round protection against small arms fire and will assist small independent detachments which are required to operate this weapon platform in the operational area.
This is a flagship project showcasing the indigenous manufacturing capabilities of the defence industry and will add another milestone to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan’ and ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Government.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
HYDROGEN FUEL FOR VEHICLES
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified G.S.R. 889 dated 16th September, 2016, for use of Hydrogen as an automotive fuel in the country. The specifications for Hydrogen for Internal Combustion Engine have been specified in Annexure IV-W of the said notification. 18% blend of Hydrogen with CNG
 has been notified by this Ministry vide G.S.R. 585 dated 25th September, 2020. This Ministry vide G.S.R. 579 dated 23rd September, 2020 has notified safety norms regarding hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and its components.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development programme to support research in various aspects of renewable energy including inter-alia hydrogen based transportation and fuel cell development. The ongoing R&D projects on hydrogen and fuel cells are as under:-
- Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore has established a production plant for high purity hydrogen generation through biomass gasification.
- ARCI Centre for Fuel Cell Technologies, Chennai is setting up an integrated automated manufacturing line for producing 20 kW PEM Fuel Cell stacks.
- Dayalbagh Educational Institution has developed novel materials for Hydrogen production through Photo electrochemical splitting of water. Two patents were granted for materials developed under the project in 2021.
- National Institute of Solar Energy, Gurgaon, under the project to establish a Centre of Excellence on Hydrogen Energy, have procured electrolyzer and other equipment for augmenting the Green Hydrogen production capacity to demonstrate various applications including hydrogen fuelled vehicles.
This information was given by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Online Dispute Resolution
Video conferencing has emerged as the mainstay of the Courts during the ongoing Covid pandemic period as physical hearings and normal court proceedings in the congregational mode were not possible. To facilitate dispensation of justice in such time one video conference equipment each has been provided to all court complexes including taluk level courts and additionally funds have been sanctioned for additional VC equipment for 14,443 court rooms. Funds for setting up 2506 VC Cabins have been made available. Additional 1500 VC Licenses have been acquired. VC facilities are already enabled between 3240 court complexes and corresponding 1272 jails. A sum of Rs. 7.60 crore has been released for procurement of 1732 Document Visualizers. Further, Judicial Service Centres  have been established to serve as a single window for filing petitions and applications by litigants / lawyers, and for obtaining information on ongoing cases and copies of orders and judgments etc. In addition, e-Sewa Kendras have been rolled out to bridge the digital divide by providing eFiling services to lawyers and litigants. Government has released Rs. 12.54 crore for setting up e-Sewa Kendras. As on 31.12.2021, 451 eSewa Kendra’s have been made functional in District Courts under 25 High Courts. Also, training programs and awareness campaigns have been conducted from time to time to train various stakeholders and familiarise them with court digitisation initiatives. Data/information relating to private dispute resolution centres is not collated by the Government.
The concept of Online Dispute Resolution  in India is at a nascent stage. The NITI Aayog had constituted a high level committee to take it forward and the report of the committee titled “Designing the future of dispute Resolution: the ODR Policy Plan for India” was released on 29.11.2021. It inter-alia recommends for mainstreaming of ODR in India, as a cost effective, convenient, efficient process which can be customised to the specific needs of the parties, considering the nature of the dispute. The Government of India has also acknowledged the importance of online dispute resolution and proposes to provide legal sanction to ODR by way of requisite provisions in the Mediation Bill, 2021 introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 20.12.2021. The Bill recognizes online pre-litigation mediation as an acceptable and cost effective process of dispute resolution thereby removing the distance barrier for parties.
This information was given by Shri Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Law and Justice, in Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays tributes to Dr. Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu on his Jayanti
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to His Holiness Dr. Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu on his Jayanti.
“Tributes to His Holiness Dr. Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu on his Jayanti. His rich contribution to society continues to inspire”, the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister's Office
PM shares glimpses of his recent visit to Mandya, Karnataka
Karnataka is a powerhouse of development, contributing to the nation in so many sectors: PM
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has shared glimpses of his recent visit to Mandya, Karnataka and said that Mandya was amazing. The people’s affection will always be cherished.
In response to a tweet by Member of Parliament from Mandya, Karnataka, Smt. Sumalatha Ambareesh, the Prime Minister tweeted;
"Mandya was amazing! The people’s affection will always be cherished."
Furthermore responding to the tweet by a citizen, Rangaraj Bindiganavile, the Prime Minister said;
"Karnataka is a powerhouse of development, contributing to the nation in so many sectors. It is an honour to serve the people of this great state."
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Cabinet approves Cooperation Agreement between India and Denmark in the field of Renewable Energy with focus on Offshore Wind Energy
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for a Cooperation Agreement between Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of India and Ministry for Energy, Utilities and Climate of the Kingdom of Denmark on strategic sector cooperation in the field of Renewable Energy with a focus on Offshore Wind Energy and a Letter of Intent to establish an Indo-Danish Centreof Excellence for renewable energy in India. The Agreement was signed in March, 2019 in New Delhi.
The objective of the Cooperation Agreement is to promote cooperation between the twocountries in the field of renewable energy with special focus on Off-shore wind. The areas of cooperation would include technical capacity building for management of offshore wind projects, measures to develop and sustain a highly efficient wind industry, onshore as well as offshore; measures to 'ensure high quality of wind turbines, components, and certification requirements; forecasting and scheduling of off-shore wind
The Indo-Danish Centre of Excellence in Integrated Renewable Power would work on Renewable energy resource assessments with focus on onshore and offshore wind; Hybridisation of wind, solar, hydro and storage technologies; integration of renewable energy inch high level of wind energy, Testing and R&D; and skill development / capacity building.
The signing of the documents will help in strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
SwachhtaPakhwadaObserved at Ram ManoharLohia Hospital
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a behavior change mission: SmtAnupriya Patel
“Swachh Bharat Abhiyan  is not merely a programme, it’s a behavior change mission.” This was stated by Smt. Anupriya Patel, MoS during the observance of ‘SwachhtaPakhwada’ at Dr. Ram ManoharLohia Hospital, here today. At the event, SmtAnupriya Patel planted a sapling to initiate a ‘Tree Plantation’ drive in the hospital and also released the ‘SwachhtaPakhwada’ booklet. The Minister also administered the ‘SwachhtaPledge’ to the participants.
Speaking at the function, SmtAnupriya Patel further stated that under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, ShriNarendraModi, the programme was started on 2nd October, 2014 and since then it has become an important social movement. She further stated that to achieve the goals of sanitation and cleanliness, every citizen has to play an important role and understand his or her responsibilities towards sanitation and cleanliness. “It all begins with the self, then from person to the family, from family to the society and from society to the nation, and if this happens it will not take much of a time for us to transform ourselves into a clean nation”, she stated.
Appreciating the efforts of the Institute, SmtAnupriya Patel said that cleanliness activitiesshould not be limited to a ‘SwachhtaPakhwada’ but should be carried out throughout the year. The Minister was pleased to learn that the Institute has become environment friendly by choosing solar power and looked forward to a clean and green hospital.
At the function, SmtAnupriya Patel also gave away the awards to the staff of the RML hospital for their contribution towards sanitation and cleanliness. She also awarded the winners of various competitions organized by the RML Hospital to mark the ‘SwachhtaPakhwada’.
Dr V K Tiwari, Director and Medical Superintendent, Dr. Ram ManoharLohia Hospital along with the other senior officers, faculty and staff were also present at the event.
Prime Minister's Office
PM speaks to Assam CM about flood situation in parts of the state
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has spoken to Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma about flood situation in parts of the state. The Prime Minister also assured all possible support from the Centre to help mitigate the situation.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Spoke to Assam CM Shri @himantabiswa and took stock of the flood situation in parts of the state. Assured all possible support from the Centre to help mitigate the situation. I pray for the safety and well-being of those living in the affected areas."
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Menstrual Health
To improve the menstrual health among adolescent girls, Government of India is supporting the States/UTs through National Health Mission in their Program Implementation Plans for decentralized procurement of Sanitary napkins packs.
The scheme encompasses the following:
- Increasing awareness among adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene
- Improving access to and use of high quality sanitary napkins by adolescent girls residing in rural areas
- Scheme is also beingimplemented in the urban areas with roll out in selected cities of 15 States in the first phase.
- Ensuring safe disposal of sanitary napkins in an environmentally friendly manner.
- Provision of funds to ASHAs to hold monthly meetings with adolescents to discuss issues related to menstrual hygiene.
Government of India is providing NHM funds to States/UTs through Program Implementation Plans for decentralized procurement of Sanitary napkins and IEC-BCC activities. Health being a State subject, involvement of NGOs or any private organization to support the activities hence remains the decision of the State/UTs.
The Minister of State , ShAshwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
State/UTs procured 6.07 Lakh Tonnes of millets during Kharif Marketing Season 2021-22 for distribution
The Union Minister of State for Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ms. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today informed that as per the 2nd Advance Estimates of Production of foodgrains for 2022-23 of Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the production of total foodgrains is estimated to be 3235.54 Lakh Tonnes out of which the production of Millets is 159.09 Lakh Tonnes . State Governments have procured 6.07 Lakh Tonnes of millets during Kharif Marketing Season 2021-22 for distribution under the Targeted Public Distribution System /Integrated Child Development Services/ Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman  etc. The data of production of millets during last five years, is attached below.
Under the National Food Security Act, 2013, the term “foodgrains” is defined as rice, wheat or coarse grains or any combination thereof conforming to such quality norms as may be determined, by order, by the Central Government from time to time. There is no specific provision for Millets under the Act. However, to improve the level of nutrition among the beneficiaries covered under the NFSA, all the States/UTs have been requested to procure millets and distribute for NFSA beneficiaries as per local consumption preferences and as per the guidelines issued by Government from time to time.
Recognizing the nutritional value of millets and the fact that consumption of millets can significantly improve key nutrition parameters among children and women in rural and urban areas the Government of India has created a sub-mission under the National Food Security Mission to encourage millet cultivation and its inclusion in Targeted Public Distribution System . Now, Millets are already a part of the TPDS. The procurement, storage, and distribution of coarse grains by States/UTs is done under Decentralized Procurement  system.
Production of Millets during last five years
|
|
S. No.
|
|
Year
|
|
Production
|
|
1
|
|
2017-18
|
|
164.36
|
|
2
|
|
2018-19
|
|
137.11
|
|
3
|
|
2019-20
|
|
172.6
|
|
4
|
|
2020-21
|
|
180.2
|
|
5
|
|
2021-22
|
|
159.9
Figures in LMT
Ministry of Railways
Railways has road map in place for supplying rakes to long distance Thermal Power Plants, clarifies Railway Ministry
Some media reports have raised concerns that power generation stations located far from mines are suffering due to discrimination in allotment of rakes. These reports have claimed that the power plant operated by RattanIndia Power Ltd in Maharashtra has also been shut down due to coal shortage resulting from insufficient rake allotment by south east central zone of the railways . Dismissing these misleading media reports, Ministry of Railways has issued a clarification which states that:
1. In South East central railways, there are large no. of Thermal power plants which are having less coal stock as per new coal stocking norms. Many of these shorter distance plants have both mechanized unloading flexibility namely ‘Tippler unloading system’ which uses Open wagon with side door  and ‘Hopper unloading System’ which uses hopper wagon with bottom opening .
2. The unloading time of hopper rake is much less i:e 3 hours per rake therefore has better turn around. As a result rake supply to these shorter distance plants dealing with faster circuit Hopper rake naturally improves.
3. The Amravati Power plant does not have hopper unloading system. This being the main reason for less supply of rakes.
4. Many of the long distance thermal power plants  have regulated coal supply during April-June 21-22 to save on the inventory cost. Large no of railway rakes got stabled on account of regulation of coal supply by these long distance TPS. With power demand picking up its existing stock got liquidated.
5. Railways in consultation with MOC & MoP are already having a road map in place for supplying rakes to long distance TPS which is being implemented to build adequate coal stock at these TPS.
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Ministry of Home Affairs
Shri Rajnath Singh says Government taking steps to boost medical tourism
The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has said the Government is promoting the emergence of India as a medical destination to the world. Addressing the 127th Founder's Day Celebrations of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here today, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs  has taken several steps towards boosting medical tourism such as extending e-Visa to 161 countries. Besides, the MHA has extended the duration of stay on e-Visa from 30 to 60 days and also allowed triple entry in e-Medical Visa cases.
Speaking about the Health Sector, Shri Rajnath Singh said in a country of 125 crore people, providing Healthcare to All is a huge challenge. We have very skewed doctor-patient ratio. If we see Health Sector spending, it constitutes just 1.16 percent of the GDP. But we are determined to increase it significantly, at least to 2.5 percent.
Shri Rajnath Singh said given the huge income disparity in India, the Prime Minister Shri Narenda Modi introduced the Ayushman Bharat scheme to provide the best healthcare for the poor and needy. He said Ayushman Bharat is the National Health Protection Scheme, which will cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families , providing medical insurance cover up to Rupees 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
The Union Home Minister said providing universal healthcare will not be possible without the participation of the private sector. “You will agree that whereas people should get affordable healthcare they should also get universal health cover. To ensure Care and Cover both, we need huge investment in health sector. This can happen only with active contribution of private sector,” said Shri Rajnath Singh. “We see private sector in health sector as our strategic partner,” he added.
Shri Rajnath Singh said the basic rule for good health is hygiene and the Swachh Bharat Mission has been launched by the Prime Minister as the first step towards achieving the goal of universal healthcare.
Ministry of Tourism
Tourism Minister, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel to launch multilingual Incredible India website in New Delhi tomorrow
Chinese, Arabic and Spanish versions of website to attract tourists from these regions
The Minister of State  for Tourism & Culture, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel will launch the multilingual Incredible India website in New Delhi tomorrow. The launch event will witness participation by key stakeholders of tourism industry, foreign ambassadors, foreign correspondents, major associations among others .
Incredible India website, the flagship project launched by Ministry of Tourism, is a promotional website with an aim to project India as a ‘must-visit’ destination across the globe. Ministry of Tourism has revamped the multilingual Incredible India website design, with an aim to provide more information about India’s tourist destinations, attractions, experiences, and where out value lies. Ministry of Tourism’s Incredible India 2.0 website aims towards showcasing the varied tourism products of India at a global arena by providing visitors with relevant, personalized and contextual digital experience escalating tourism awareness, attraction and opportunities.
The website now comprises of a plethora of information around 165 destinations, 2700+ pages, 28 States + 9 UTs alongwith multiple attractions. The website which is currently hosted in English and Hindi is now being launched in Chinese, Arabic and Spanish with primary objective to effectively engage the visitors across web and social media platforms thereby providing an exciting experience to the travellers visiting the website from countries from where we witness major tourist footfall.
The website will be dynamic and constantly evolving with new design and theme, periodically. Going forward, the website will be available in other major international languages.
President's Secretariat
President’s greetings on the eve of Birth Anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind has greeted fellow-citizens on the eve of the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
In a message, the President has said, “On the occasion of the birth anniversary of the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, I extend my greetings and best wishes to all the fellow citizens.
As a social reformer, educationist, jurist, economist, politician and legal expert, Dr. Ambedkar strived constantly for the benefit of the country and society.
Dr. Ambedkar envisaged such a society where social harmony and equality should prevail. For this purpose, he dedicated his entire life towards society and the Nation. Dr. Ambedkar has gifted India with such a progressive and inclusive constitution which has been deepening and strengthening the belief of our fellow citizens in our democracy, for the past several decades.
On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, let us take inspiration from Dr. Ambedkar's great stature, struggle and values, take a pledge to imbibe his teachings and ideals into our lives and contribute towards creating a strong and prosperous India. Also, keeping in mind the epidemic of COVID-19, all the citizens should celebrate Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti while maintaining 'Social Distancing' and staying at their home.”
Click here to see President's Message in Hindi